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By Hannah Parry
Associate News Editor
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Aviation experts have warned that Friday is set to be the biggest disruption to travel since 9/11 after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an unprecedented nationwide ground stop, ordering departing aircraft to remain on the ground following communications problems affecting air traffic control centers.
The FAA said it had issued the order after communication issues impacted multiple Air Route Traffic Control Centers, with technicians investigating the problem. "All departing traffic should remain ground stopped until further notice. Inbound international flights will be managed on a case by case basis," the FAA said in an advisory.
Ken Gray, a former pilot and intelligence officer, now a professor at the University of New Haven, compared the fallout of the ground stop to that of the 9/11 terror attacks.
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"When 9/11 happened... they did an incredible job getting planes down on the ground. They emptied the airspace out within two hours and got all the aircraft that were in the air on the ground," he said. "But once they got it all on the ground, it took several days for it to be safe to allow the aircraft back up.
"Likewise, once they get everything back on the ground, even if everything is working again, it is going to take some time to get the aircraft back in towards their destinations because everything is out of sync as far as flights go."
He added that Friday was set to be the most disruptive travel day since the attacks, with the delays and cancelations lasting through the weekend.
In a statement to Newsweek, the FAA said: "The FAA issued a nationwide ground stop for all U.S. airports following communication issues impacting multiple Air Route Traffic Control Centers. FAA technicians are investigating the issue. We will provide updates."
The agency stressed that the information was preliminary and subject to change.
The disruption has prompted airports to warn passengers to check with their airlines before travelling, while a former senior FAA official said the nationwide nature of the order was unusual.
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What Are Airports Telling Passengers?
John Glenn Columbus International Airport has warned passengers departing from both Columbus and Rickenbacker International Airport to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
In a post on X, the airport said: "The FAA has issued a nationwide ground stop until further notice. If you're flying out of John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) or Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK), please check with your airline for the latest flight information before heading to the airport."
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport also warned passengers to expect delays.
"ALERT: Expect flight delays related to a nationwide ground stop reported by the Federal Aviation Administration. Our airport facilities are open. Check with your airline regarding the status of your flight," the airport said.
Passengers are being advised to contact their airlines directly for information about individual flights, as the ground stop does not necessarily mean airport terminals are closed.
The FAA has also said that international arrivals will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
Travelers should monitor airline apps and airport announcements for updates, and check whether their flights have been cancelled or rescheduled before setting off.
Why Has the FAA Grounded Flights?
The FAA initially described the circumstances as "extraordinary" and cited safety reasons for the nationwide order.
It subsequently confirmed that communications problems affecting multiple Air Route Traffic Control Centers had prompted the decision.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the issue in a post on X.
"The @FAAnews issued a nationwide ground stop for all U.S. airports following a communication issue impacting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers. FAA technicians are investigating the issue. We will provide immediate updates as we have them," he wrote.
The Pentagon referred Newsweek to the FAA when asked for comment.
Marc Nichols, who served as FAA chief counsel under President Joe Biden, told Newsweek that while ground stops were not unusual, nationwide orders were less common.
"Ground stops are not unusual. Nationwide ground stops are a little more unusual," Nichols said.
He explained that such measures could be implemented for several reasons, including anticipated weather, security concerns or system malfunctions.
"At this stage, we should not speculate as to the cause," he said.
Nichols added that the transportation secretary's statement suggested an air traffic control communications issue.
"The FAA's primary concern is safety of passengers, and it will share more details with the public when appropriate," he said.
How Long Could Flight Disruption Last?
It remains unclear how long the nationwide ground stop will remain in effect or how quickly normal flight operations can resume.
Even after the FAA resolves the communications problem and allows departures to restart, passengers could continue to experience disruption as airlines work through delayed flights and operational backlogs.
Aircraft and crew schedules are closely interconnected. When flights are held on the ground, aircraft can arrive late at their next destinations, while pilots and cabin crew may be unable to reach their subsequent assignments on time.
This can create a knock-on effect across airline networks, potentially resulting in further delays and cancellations even after the original technical problem has been resolved.
The extent of any continuing disruption will depend on how long the ground stop remains in place, how many flights are affected and how quickly airlines can restore their schedules.
Nichols said the FAA would provide further information when appropriate, but no confirmed timeline for a return to normal operations had been announced.
Passengers with flights scheduled for Friday evening and over the weekend should continue checking directly with their airlines for the latest information.
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